Tuesday, 10 February 2009

Montpeliano restaurant is the perfect place for an unforgettable Valentine's day, a breathtaking setting, luxurious mirrors, stunning greenery and lots of romantic candles, make Montpeliano the number one choice for the most trendy London's scene. And if you are lucky enough as a bonus you may find some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry sitting next to your table.

Please note we are almost fully book for Saturday 14 February 2009, our 7pm to 9.45 shift is gone, if you want to have a night to remember please book the shift from 10pm to 12pm. You can book online at www.montpelianorestaurant.com by completing the booking form on our main page.

Friday, 6 February 2009

In the south the production centres around red wine, which may rival the wines of the south of France for interest and good value. There are few wines of interest in Molise, Campania, Basilicata or Calabria but Puglia (Apulia) is a more rewarding hunting ground.

The DOCs of Castel del Monte, Salice Salentino, Copertino and Primitivo di Manduria have the best reputation. There is little wine of interest on Sardinia, but Sicily is an Italian wine region on the up. Known for its fortified wine Marsala, the table wines are improving in quality. These are often made outside the DOC regulations as Vina da Tavola or IGT wines. Sicilian white wine, from a top producer such as Planeta, can rival the red wine for quality.

The central regions of Italy are responsible for what is probably the best known of all Italian red wine, Chianti. This DOCG wine hails from Tuscany, probably the best known and most travelled Italian wine region, as it is home to such beautiful destinations as Florence and Pisa. Chianti is made from the Sangiovese grape, with small amounts of other grapes, including Cabernet Sauvignon, also permissible. The best wines are from the Chianti Classico subregion, but others are also worth trying, particularly Chianti Rufina. The very best wines are aged for longer before release, and are designated Riserva, and these are from the Classico and Rufina regions. So-called 'Super-Tuscans' - wines made outside the DOC/DOCG rules - can offer top quality, but often at a price, eg Sassicaia, Tignanello, Solaia, Cepparello.

From nearby Montalcino comes Brunello di Montalcino, another famous Italian red wine which, like Chianti, is another DOCG wine made from Sangiovese (Brunello is the local name for this grape). If aged for five years before release it may be designated Riserva. Rosso di Montalcino is another red wine made here, but is intended to be consumed in its youth. If from a good producer it can represent good value for money.

Not too far from Montalcino is Montepulciano, home to Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, another impressive Italian red wine DOCG, again made from Sangiovese - it is not to be confused with wines made from the Montepulciano grape. Vino Nobile has a reputation for being austere, but from the best producers it can be wonderful.

Outside of the three most important regions in Tuscany - Chianti, Montalcino & Montepulciano - there are a number of regions along the coast which are also home to some delicious, good value and also serious wines. The DOC Morellino di Scansano (Morellino is another regional name for Sangiovese) is the longest established and most well known. If looking for Italian red wine at a bargain price this can be a good hunting ground.

Outside of Tuscany the regions of Emilia-Romagna, Umbria and Latium produce some of the most infamous of all Italian wines. Many of us have experienced the produce of these Italian wine regions, as from the former comes Lambrusco and from Latium comes Frascati, two of the most abused names in Italian wine making. There are some good wines to be found though. From the Marches come Rosso Conero and Rosso Piceno, both red wines made from Montepulciano in combination with other grapes, and both can be good value. Verdicchio is the grape largely responsible for the regions best known white wine, Verdicchio and Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi. Both can be good drinking. From Abruzzi comes Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, a reliable red wine, also made from the Montepulciano grape.

The northwest of Italy is divided into four regions, Valle d-Aosta, Lombardy, Liguria and Piedmont. This latter may be regarded by some as the most significant Italian wine region, for it is the origin of perhaps the greatest Italian red wine, Barolo. This is a frequently age-worthy wine made from the Nebbiolo grape, which may be searingly tannic in its youth. Many of the wines produced deserve ten or fifteen years of cellaring. Many producers now bottle single vineyard cuvées as well as basic bottlings.

Nearby is Barbaresco, another red wine made from Nebbiolo, which is more approachable in youth and may also more affordable - although top examples still command a high price. Barolo and Barbaresco may be designated as Riserva if aged in barrel for four years or three years respectively. Both Barolo and Barbaresco are DOCG wines.

There are other important wines made in Piedmont apart from Barolo and Barbaresco, many of which are unconventional blends, or use international varieties. In particular Gaja, responsible in part at least for revolutionising wine making (and wine prices) in Piedmont makes Sito Moresco (Nebbiolo, Barbera and Merlot) under the Langhe DOC as well as a number of fine Barolo and Barbesco cuvées. La Spinetta makes Pin (Nebbiolo, Barbera and Cabernet) under the catch-all (designed to bring these producers into the fold) DOC Monferrato Rosso.

After Nebbiolo, Piedmont's second grape is Barbera (used in the blends mentioned above). Great value wines can also be sourced from the a number of top producers who bottle under the Barbera d'Alba and Barbera d'Asti DOCs. The third most important grape is Dolcetto - the occasional Dolcetto d'Alba can be wonderful, although most are light, quaffing wines.

Think of sparkling Italian wine and you're thinking of Asti (once known as Asti Spumante), an off-dry sparkling white wine made in Piedmont from the Muscat grape. The wine is often of poor quality, although good examples can rarely be found. Also there is Gavi, a dry white made from the Cortese grape.

In the northeast there are three Italian wine regions, but like the northwest only one of them is of great importance. This is Veneto, the other two being Trentino-Alto Adife and Friuli-Venezia-Giulia, often abbreviated to Friuli. The latter two produce some pleasant varietal wines, and there are a few stars - such as Silvio Jermann in Friuli. In Veneto, however, there are a few DOC areas worth a little more attention.

The vast majority of Italian wine is red, but there are also some wonderful white wines. Of all Italian white wine, those from the much maligned Soave region are perhaps the best known. These wines are made from the Garganega and Trebbiano grapes. Neither grape is a stunner, yet a few producers can fashion a wine head and shoulders above the usual dross. If you see a wine from one of my recommended producers, it is certainly worth a try. Recioto di Soave, also from this region, is a sweet white wine, strangely accorded the DOCG status, made from partially dried grapes.

Nearby is Valpolicella, a red wine DOC. Straight Valpolicella may be a pleasant easy drinking red, whereas Valpolicella Classico (from the central region) and Superiore (which denotes a higher alcohol content) may be a little more substantial. Recioto della Valpolicella is a red wine made here, but clearly way out in front is Amarone della Valpolicella. Both of these wines are made from air-dried grapes, predominantly the Corvina variety, and fermented out to dryness for the Amarone, whilst the Recioto is kept sweet. They are concentrated, complex, and frequently beguiling. Basic Valpolicella, once made, may be passed over the lees of a Recioto or Amarone wine giving a slight refermentation, producing what can be a beguiling red wine known as a Ripasso di Valpolicella. This DOC is in the running for top Italian red wine bargain, as a good producer will often fashion a mini-Amarone at a fraction of the price of the real thing.

Thursday, 5 February 2009

Italy has many wine-growing regions, but three areas stand out for producing the finest wines of Italy.

The region of Tuscany, around the city of Florence, is famous for producing red wines, primarily from the Sangiovese grape. The most famous wine from Tuscany is the most famous wine from all Italy: Chianti. You will also hear of other famous Tuscan wines, including Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, and Carmignano. There are also the non-traditional "Super-Tuscans," bold experimental red wines that are often highly regarded.

The region of Piedmont, in Northern Italy close to the French border, produces the greatest variety of fine wine in Italy. This is where the red Barolo and Barbaresco come from, as well as the sparkling Asti.

Lastly, the regions around Venice are well known for producing white wines, including Soave and Pinot Grigio.